Cheryl’s attempt to step back into the spotlight ends in disaster as ‘tone deaf’ BBC RnB series is axed early
CHERYL’s attempt at reinventing her career as a podcaster has ended in disaster, as her series has been axed after just four episodes.
The Girls Aloud star was announced as the host of a 12-part show for the BBC called You, Me and R&B with Cheryl, although only a handful of episodes aired.
Now those have been deleted from BBC Sounds and further episodes have been abandoned.
On Friday after The Sun approached reps for Cheryl and the BBC about this story, she rushed out a statement on Instagram insisting it was her decision not to continue with the series.
But she didn’t mention why the original episodes had mysteriously been deleted.
The BBC was branded “tone deaf” for choosing her to host the series, with many claiming it should have been made by a Black presenter instead.
Critics said it was an especially poor choice of host given Cheryl’s conviction of assaulting a Black nightclub toilet attendant in 2003.
A source said: “Cheryl was commissioned for 12 episodes and it was hoped it could have been the start of an exciting new stage of her career as a broadcaster.
“But the backlash wasn’t pretty and she felt blindsided by it.
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“She only made it through a third of the series and no more episodes have been made for almost three months now - it’s done.
“The hope was that it could just be buried and disappear quietly which is why the first four episodes have been deleted from BBC Sounds too.
“It’s just an embarrassing chapter which neither her or the BBC is keen to dwell on.”
On Friday she wrote: “I decided not to record the last few episodes… It didn’t feel right to revisit it again.”
When it was announced in August, Cheryl said: “I’ve always had an absolute love and passion for R&B so I’m hoping listeners are transported back and absorbed in their own nostalgia too.”
Singers MNEK and Becky Hill as well as Radio 1Xtra DJs Ace and Yasmin Evans were among those who criticised her at the time.
It’s another poorly judged move for Cheryl who has been flogging health supplements on Instagram in recent months after her chart career dried up.
Girls Aloud are still expected to reunite next year for their 20th anniversary, despite the tragic death of bandmate Sarah Harding.
Going back to basics with Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh is the best thing Cheryl could do now.
